Estimated baseline density of a spotted hyaena population in a post-war landscape
The spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta is relatively understudied across its range despite evidence of widespread declines. It is therefore essential that robust baseline population density assessments are conducted to inform current management and future conservation policy. In Mozambique this is urgen...
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| author | Willem D. Briers-Louw Tamar A. Kendon Matthew S. Rogan Alison J. Leslie Drew Bantlin Emma Evers David Gaynor Peter Lindsey João Almeida Vincent N. Naude |
| author_facet | Willem D. Briers-Louw Tamar A. Kendon Matthew S. Rogan Alison J. Leslie Drew Bantlin Emma Evers David Gaynor Peter Lindsey João Almeida Vincent N. Naude |
| author_sort | Willem D. Briers-Louw |
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| description | The spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta is relatively understudied across its range despite evidence of widespread declines. It is therefore essential that robust baseline population density assessments are conducted to inform current management and future conservation policy. In Mozambique this is urgent as decades of armed conflict followed by unchecked poaching have resulted in large-scale wildlife declines and extirpations. We conducted the first robust population density estimate for a spotted hyaena population in Mozambique using spatially explicit capture–recapture methodologies. We recorded a relatively low population density of 0.8–2.1 hyaenas/100 km2 in the wildlife management area Coutada 11 in the Zambezi Delta of central Mozambique in 2021. These densities are well below the estimated carrying capacity for the landscape and are comparable to published densities in high human-impact, miombo woodland-dominated and arid environments. The combination of historical armed conflict, marginal trophy hunting and bushmeat poaching using wire snares and gin traps (with physical injuries evident in 9% of identified individuals) presents persistent anthropogenic pressure, limiting the post-war recovery of this resident hyaena population. We provide insights into the dynamics of hyaena population status and recovery in such post-war landscapes, adding to mounting evidence that the species is less resilient to severe anthropogenic disturbances than previously believed. We recommend long-term monitoring of this and other carnivore populations in post-war landscapes to ascertain demographic trends and implement effective conservation interventions for population recovery. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0490e831c61d42f389bb7a5830ba5323 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
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| series | Oryx |
| spelling | doaj-art-0490e831c61d42f389bb7a5830ba53232025-01-27T07:56:07ZengCambridge University PressOryx0030-60531365-300811110.1017/S0030605324000966Estimated baseline density of a spotted hyaena population in a post-war landscapeWillem D. Briers-Louw0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5785-7609Tamar A. Kendon1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7494-2514Matthew S. Rogan2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7493-5795Alison J. Leslie3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1683-0474Drew Bantlin4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0942-905XEmma Evers5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6187-1868David Gaynor6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5257-4212Peter Lindsey7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9197-2897João Almeida8Vincent N. Naude9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0275-1727Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa Zambeze Delta Conservation, Marromeu, Sofala, MozambiqueZambeze Delta Conservation, Marromeu, Sofala, MozambiqueNatural State, Nanyuki, KenyaDepartment of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South AfricaAfrican Parks, Akagera National Park, RwandaAfrican Parks, Akagera National Park, RwandaMammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South AfricaWildlife Conservation Network, San Francisco, California, USAMozambique Wildlife Alliance, Maputo, MozambiqueDepartment of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South AfricaThe spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta is relatively understudied across its range despite evidence of widespread declines. It is therefore essential that robust baseline population density assessments are conducted to inform current management and future conservation policy. In Mozambique this is urgent as decades of armed conflict followed by unchecked poaching have resulted in large-scale wildlife declines and extirpations. We conducted the first robust population density estimate for a spotted hyaena population in Mozambique using spatially explicit capture–recapture methodologies. We recorded a relatively low population density of 0.8–2.1 hyaenas/100 km2 in the wildlife management area Coutada 11 in the Zambezi Delta of central Mozambique in 2021. These densities are well below the estimated carrying capacity for the landscape and are comparable to published densities in high human-impact, miombo woodland-dominated and arid environments. The combination of historical armed conflict, marginal trophy hunting and bushmeat poaching using wire snares and gin traps (with physical injuries evident in 9% of identified individuals) presents persistent anthropogenic pressure, limiting the post-war recovery of this resident hyaena population. We provide insights into the dynamics of hyaena population status and recovery in such post-war landscapes, adding to mounting evidence that the species is less resilient to severe anthropogenic disturbances than previously believed. We recommend long-term monitoring of this and other carnivore populations in post-war landscapes to ascertain demographic trends and implement effective conservation interventions for population recovery.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605324000966/type/journal_articleArmed conflictbushmeat poachingcamera trappingCrocuta crocutaMozambiquepopulation densityspatially explicit capture–recapturetrophy hunting |
| spellingShingle | Willem D. Briers-Louw Tamar A. Kendon Matthew S. Rogan Alison J. Leslie Drew Bantlin Emma Evers David Gaynor Peter Lindsey João Almeida Vincent N. Naude Estimated baseline density of a spotted hyaena population in a post-war landscape Oryx Armed conflict bushmeat poaching camera trapping Crocuta crocuta Mozambique population density spatially explicit capture–recapture trophy hunting |
| title | Estimated baseline density of a spotted hyaena population in a post-war landscape |
| title_full | Estimated baseline density of a spotted hyaena population in a post-war landscape |
| title_fullStr | Estimated baseline density of a spotted hyaena population in a post-war landscape |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimated baseline density of a spotted hyaena population in a post-war landscape |
| title_short | Estimated baseline density of a spotted hyaena population in a post-war landscape |
| title_sort | estimated baseline density of a spotted hyaena population in a post war landscape |
| topic | Armed conflict bushmeat poaching camera trapping Crocuta crocuta Mozambique population density spatially explicit capture–recapture trophy hunting |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605324000966/type/journal_article |
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